Baseline Studies and Monitoring

CEAM depends on the collection, analysis and management of information relating to historic or current 'baseline' conditions, trends in environmental quality, and the uses of land and water over time. Studies and monitoring may be territory-wide, regional or project-specific and may focus on factors such as the characteristics of environmental components and the effects of stressors. A range of government departments, Aboriginal organizations, private sector companies, project-specific agencies, and environmental non-governmental organizations in the NWT are involved, directly or indirectly, in baseline studies and monitoring. Both traditional knowledge and conventional science can make contributions in this regard.

The Steering Committee notes, however, that there is currently no overall framework in the NWT to ensure that baseline studies and monitoring address the key priorities and needs of the decision makers responsible for preventing, assessing and managing adverse cumulative effects. In particular, the delay in implementing the cumulative impact monitoring program mandated by Part 6 of the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act (MVRMA) constitutes a major gap in the CEAM Framework. Cumulative effects monitoring should be developed as well for the ISR (not subject to the MVRMA), preferably as part of a broader regional and NWT-wide program. The Steering Committee is also concerned about barriers to the accessibility of existing information, resulting in part from the absence of an adequate information management system.

For more information about the NWT CIMP, visit the web site.

Download the State of Knowledge of Valued Components for the NWT CIMP.

For additional information please visit the following sites:

     Government of the Northwest Territories and their Social Agenda

     Arctic Borderlands Ecological Knowledge Co-op

     Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development - Renewable Resources and Environment

     Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Network - North

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